Tag Archive: Great Salt Lake

Antelope Island – Great Salt Lake – Utah

Antelope Island - Great Salt Lake - Utah

Antelope Island is a beautiful and unique state park located in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It is the largest island in the lake, covering around 42 square miles. Known for its stunning natural landscapes, Antelope Island offers visitors a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, and camping. The island is home to a wide variety of wildlife, most notably a free-roaming herd of bison, as well as antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and numerous bird species.

The island also has a rich history, with evidence of prehistoric Native American presence and later settlements. Visitors can explore the historical field station, the ranch, and the island’s visitor center, which provides educational exhibits about the area’s ecology and history.

Antelope Island is a popular spot for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Utah’s Great Salt Lake area. The island is accessible by car via a causeway and offers stunning views of both the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Great Salt Lake State Marina Sign – Utah

Great Salt Lake State Marina Sign - Utah

The Great Salt Lake Marina, located within Great Salt Lake State Park near Salt Lake City, Utah, serves as a gateway to the unique and scenic waters of the Great Salt Lake. This small but well-equipped marina offers boat launch ramps, docking facilities, and a visitor center with exhibits about the lake’s history and ecosystem. Popular activities include sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and birdwatching, with the lake’s high salinity providing a buoyant and unusual experience for water enthusiasts. The surrounding park includes picnic areas and trails, making it a relaxing spot for families and adventurers alike.

However, the marina faces challenges due to the lake’s declining water levels caused by drought and water diversions, which can limit access for larger boats. Despite these issues, the marina remains a vital recreational hub and an excellent spot to experience the Great Salt Lake’s natural beauty. Efforts to preserve the lake’s ecosystem and address environmental concerns are ongoing, ensuring the marina continues to serve as a key destination for locals and tourists exploring Utah’s iconic saline lake.

Dead Carp Fish on Beach – Great Salt Lake – Utah

Dead Carp Fish on Beach - Great Salt Lake - Utah

A view of a dead carp fish from the Great Salt Lake in northern Utah. The Great Salt Lake, a small remnant of the much larger Pleistocene Lake Bonneville, is as the name suggests very salty, and mostly uninhabitable as far as fish are concerned, but all of the water that flows into the lake, comes from fresh water rivers, and springs that flow from the surrounding Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain Ranges. This particular fish likely entered the Great Salt Lake from the Jordan River, which connects to Utah lake and receives fresh water from both ranges.

The survivability of carp near the edges of the Great Salt Lake has likely also impacted by a number of environmental issues, especially in the last decade. Including a decreasing flow of water to the lake as its diverted for agriculture and housing development, as well as hotter, drier summers due to climate change and drought. Increasing salinity, salt water intrusion, and pollution concentration as the lake has shrunk are also potential factors.